John Ellis Wool was born in Newburg, New York in 1784. He engaged in the book business for a time, but when a fire destroyed his stock, he began the study of law. The law was abandoned when, in 1812, war broke out with Great Britain. Wool opened a recruiting office, mustered a company, and was commissioned a captain in the United States Infantry. He distinguished himself in battle several times, was shot through both thighs, and emerged from the war with the title of inspector-general and the rank of colonel. (Sylvester 1)

Colonel Wool, as inspector-general, made a professional tour of Europe in1822. (Sylvester 1) In 1836, Wool was assigned to supervise the removal of the Cherokee to their new reservation. He attempted to protect them, but also tried to persuade them to obey the government's orders. For his role in mediating, he was strongly criticized by the public and court-martialed. He was cleared of all charges, but these events undoubtedly influenced his actions later in life. (Richards 238)

During the Mexican War (1846-1848) Wool won further acclaim for superintending the organization of the Western volunteer regiments. He later commanded a force of three thousand and served as second in command to General Zachary Taylor, who was later the twelfth president of the United States. For his services in Mexico, Wool was brevetted major-general, and honored by Congress with a joint resolution of thanks in 1854. (Sylvester 1)

Brevet Major General John E. Wool, second-ranking officer in the army, took command of the Department of the Pacific in 1854 at the age of seventy. He was a capable administrator, but less adept at dealing with political problems. Wool truly believed that the Army was best qualified to deal with the problems created by the westward expansion. He was intolerant of interference by those outside the military, including territorial officials. Critics of Wool often referred to him as pompous or arrogant, and claimed he held too high an opinion of his own moral infallibility. Wool, however, had little interest in public opinion. He performed his duties as he saw fit.

By the time he reached California, Wool already held the opinion that the problems between Indians and whites were generally the fault of the whites. He saw this pattern repeated on the west coast, where he believed that the Indians were being poorly treated by the settlers. He had particular rancor for the volunteer militia groups, whose behavior toward the natives often appalled him. (Richards 238-239)

Wool's strong opinions would place him repeatedly in direct opposition to Isaac Stevens. Both were strong-willed men, and each believed himself to be the highest authority in a region where conflict was inevitable.

In late September, 1855 word trickled down that two miners traveling through Indian country to the newly discovered gold fields of Colville had been killed by hostile Indians. Agent Andrew J. Bolon, working to provision the Spokane Council, cut short that assignment and headed to Colville to investigate. On his way, he intercepted a group of Indians he believed to be friendly. Angered by the treaties, they were not friendly, and murdered Agent Bolon.

On October 3rd, Major Granville Haller for set out from with 102 men to head into Yakima country to investigate Bolon's death. Near Toppenish Creek, Haller met an overwhelming force of Indians-he claimed it was more than 1500-and decided to retreat rather than enter into battle. Wool accused him of proceeding "without the precautions necessary against savage warfare." Wool also expressed disbelief that Haller had actually been confronted with that many hostiles. (Richards 240-241)

Whatever General Wool's opinion of it, Haller's defeat signaled to the territories that the regular army did not have the manpower to adequately protect the settlers or their property. Oregon and Washington territorial officials immediately called for the formation of volunteer militia. Governor Stevens observed that although it was exceedingly difficult to raise volunteers during times of peace, when conflict ensued the able-bodied men were eager to jump into action. (Richards 242)

Stevens believed that lack of cooperation from the army had impaired the efficiency of his volunteer forces. This idea was reinforced when, in reply to Stevens' insistence on the need for an aggressive winter campaign, General Wool wrote back, "you should have recollected that I have neither the resources of a territory nor the treasury of the United States at my command." Wool declared that the army would indeed promptly and aggressively pursue the war, but "without wasting unnecessarily the means and resources at my disposal by untimely and unproductive expeditions." Stevens responded by publicly condemning Wool and calling for his removal from the Department of the Pacific. (Richards 264)

Stevens appointed himself the ultimate authority in times of emergency. The volunteer militia, rather than falling under the command of the army as was tradition, would answer directly to the governor. General Wool believed his own authority exceeded that of a territorial governor. With both Stevens and Wool claiming the ultimate authority, the stage was set for conflict. Both sides of the issue were wrong, however, since any emergency required the cooperation of both the civil and military authorities. (Richards 266)

General Wool was extremely critical of the actions of the volunteer militia during the Indian Wars. In April 1856, he wrote in a letter to his friend, John Cunningham:

But for the Governor of Oregon and of Washington Territory, who are anxious for a long and expensive war, and the barbarous determination of the Oregonians to extermin[ate] its Indians, I would soon put and end to the Indian War. This practice of the Volunteers of killing friends as well as enemies has greatly increased the ranks of the hostiles.

He described the animosity of the settlers and volunteers towards the army:

...Captain Smith at Fort Lane reported to me that to prevent the citizens from killing 400 Indians waiting to be conducted to the Coast reserve it required the greater part of his command [of] two companies. When they left for the reserve, although escorted by over one hundred soldiers, a citizen followed and killed one of the Indians, at the same time declared he would follow them and kill all he could. The citizens living on the route to the Coast range held [a] meeting, when it was resolved that should it be attempted to conduct the Indians to the reserve, they would not only kill them but all who might accompany them.

In closing he related the horrific actions of the volunteers in the death of Walla Walla chief Peo Peo Mox Mox:

...they took him prisoner and afterwards killed him, took some twenty scalps from his head, cut of[f] his ears and hands and sent them to their friends as trophies. It is these shocking barbarities that gives us more trouble than all else and is constantly increasing the ranks of the hostiles. The Indians however in Rogue River Valley are taking fearful vengeance at the present time on the innocent as well as the guilty whites.

READ GEN.WOOL'S COMPLETE ACCOUNT OF THIS KILLING (From the Frederick Collection of Western Americana)

When, in the summer of 1856, a guarded peace had settled over Washington Territory, Stevens believed his policy and strategy were the cause. General Wool believed the presence of the army had discouraged the Indians from further fighting. Wool further asserted that the volunteer militia had actually proven counterproductive, stirring up Indian hostilities, rather than dispelling them. (Richards 272)

In the fall of 1856, General Wool closed eastern Washington territory to further settlement by the whites. He charged Colonel Edward Steptoe with keeping settlers, even those who had already been residing there, out of the region. Wool's action incensed Governor Stevens, who declared it "clearly illegal." In defiance Stevens proclaimed army policy to be "unprecedented in history, and most discreditable to our government" and "a usurpation of my duties for which [the army} will be held to account." (Richards 307)

General Wool was reassigned to command of the Eastern Department, a post he held until 1860. In May of 1862 he was promoted to major-general, and was shortly thereafter given the command of the Middle Military Department. In 1863, he was transferred back to New York to once again head the Eastern Department. He retired in August 1863, and died on November 10, 1869 and buried with high military and civilian honors. (Sylvester 1)

Sylvester, Nathaniel Bartlett. "Major-General John Ellis Wool" History of Rensselaer Co., New York. Rensselaer County GenWeb. December 7, 2004.

Richards, Kent. Isaac I. Stevens: Young Man in a Hurry. Provo: Brigham Young University Press, 1993.

Wool, John Ellis. Letter to John B. Cunningham, Esq. Frederick Collection of Western Americana, April 4, 1856.